Manchester City registered one of their most impressive performances under Pep Guardiola in Saturday lunchtime's 1-0 victory over Chelsea.
Despite Thomas Tuchel setting up his side in a defensive 5-3-2 formation, City controlled the fixture from the first minute. Their possession was rewarded on the 53rd minute when Gabriel Jesus found space in the 18-yard, firing on the turn into the back of Edouard Mendy's net, thanks to a heavy deflection.
Guardiola might have been disappointed his City side were unable to stretch their lead once the game opened up in the second half, owing to several good chances squandered by the forwards. The best opportunity fell to Jack Grealish, who was unable to beat Mendy with a tame effort.
However, Jesus' goal turned out to be enough to decide the tie, and City now finds themselves only one point away from the top of the Premier League.
And the 41-time Brazilian international has complimented Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who was marshalled effectively on Saturday by the imperious duo of Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias.
"They [Chelsea] were strengthened by the arrival of [Romelu] Lukaku," Jesus told ESPN.
"He's a player that I really like, a goalscorer, very strong, physically, technically. They have strengthened themselves and come even stronger."
Lukaku was reported to be a target for City's transfer chiefs last summer, but they opted to pursue Harry Kane. Unfortunately, owing to the determination of Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy to retain his star man, City failed in their pursuit, and they are still without a recognised striker.
Whilst Phil Foden returned strongly to the starting lineup, had Tuchel's side capitalised on the chances they created in the second half, City's profligacy in front of goal against Chelsea might have been the difference between a win or a draw.
It is unclear whether Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano will re-enter the market for Kane in January. Still, the scouting department might have raised concerns over the England captain's concerning performances since returning from England's historic Euro 2020 run. The striker, who made it clear he wanted to move to City in the summer, has yet to score a Premier League goal this season.
